Rise: Join the 601

When 601 Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLDs) make a gift to UP by 6/01, regent Rich Baek '93MS, '02MBA, will make a gift of $50,000 to the Rec Center.

How does this work? Make any gift of any size to anything at UP by June 1, 2014. Give to the new rec center. Or a scholarship fund. To your residence hall, or favorite study abroad program, or the Moreau Center. It doesn't matter--all gifts count! This challenge is all about participation.

Why are you doing this? Rich Baek wants to help recent graduates reconnect with UP and pay it forward. Other alums paid it forward for you to receive scholarship funds; use new and remodeled academic buildings like Franz and Shiley Halls; live in new residence halls like Schoenfeldt, Fields, and Corrado; and eat in Bauccio Commons. Now, it's your turn to support UP students and in recognition of your gifts, Rich will make a gift to the Rec Center. And isn't it time UP students had a new recreation & wellness center?

Who is Rich Baek? Rich is a 1993 (master's in engineering) and 2002 (MBA) grad of UP. He is the founder and chairman of the VTM Group, one of the "100 best companies to work for" according to Oregon Business Magazine. He serves on the University of Portland's Board of Regents, and has been named Oregon Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration and has been named one of the “Forty under 40” by the Portland Business Journal. See Rich talk about the 601 Challenge and what UP means to him.

How do I give? See that big orange button in the top right corner? Click on Make A Gift and give online right now. Or call 855.768.GIVE.

Tell me about this new rec center. University of Portland will break ground in May 2014, and the building will be completed in Fall 2015. The Rec Center will be located across Portsmouth Avenue from the Chiles Center and Etzel Field. It will have 3 new sports courts, 2 fitness rooms, a climbing wall, a suspended track, weights and cardio stations, and bike and outdoor gear rental. See pictures on the artists renderings & site plan page.